Brisbane City Tours

Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with much to offer its visitors. From its stunning natural scenery to its lively cultural life, Brisbane has something for everyone.

If you're thinking of visiting the city, one of the best ways to get to know it is through the many tours and excursions on offer. These tours allow you to explore the city at your own pace and learn about its history and culture.

In this article, I have selected for you the best tours to get to know Brisbane. I'll also tell you how much each tour costs, which means of transport you'll have to use for each one, how long they last, etc. Everythingyou need to know to make it perfect!

This tour is a must for discovering the best things to do in Brisbane! The tour offers you a walking tour of around 3 hours that will introduce you to Brisbane's history, culture and architecture.

The tour continues to the Brisbane Arcade, a historic Victorian building. You will then stroll through King George Square, where Brisbane's second city hall is located. On the way to the old Queensland Treasury building, a guide will tell you about the past of the city's early inhabitants while you will see some interesting street art.

Afterwards, you will walk through the Botanic Gardens, and on the other side of the Brisbane River you will see the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Finally, the tour will take you through the commercial and financial area of the city to St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Finally, at Eagle Street Pier, you can have lunch at one of the many riverside restaurants or cafes. This tour is a great way to learn about Brisbane's history and culture.

Details of interest

• Price: From 173 euros.
• Duration: Around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not so keen on walking around the city and prefer more nature, you may be able to do without this tour.

The Brisbane River is one of the most important coastal rivers on the eastern side of Australia, and is located in the south-east of the state of Queensland. It flows through the capital city of Brisbane and empties into Moreton Bay.

Fortunately, it is navigable, and crossing its waters can offer much more than just a boat ride and beautiful views.

From the river, you can indeed see the city centre, Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge and Kurilpa Bridge. But the river also has a lot of wildlife, including dolphins, turtles, birds and fish, so you may see some of these animals from the river.

From the boat, you can see how the landscape changes from urban to industrial to natural - contrasts that are hard to see on any other mode of transport.

There are several companies offering Brisbane river cruises which vary in length and price, but all offer a unique way to see the city and the surrounding area. Here are my favourite options:

• Sunset cruise: a sunset cruise is a romantic and relaxing way to see the city.
• Wine tasting cruise: a wine tasting cruise is a fun way to learn about the wines of the Moreton Bay region.
• Dolphin watching cruise: A dolphin watching cruise is an exciting way to see dolphins in their natural habitat.

Details of interest

• Price: From 62 euros.
• Duration: Around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: Boat.
• Pros of this option: Boat ride, views, wildlife... this experience brings together the best of Brisbane.
• Cons of this option: Boating may not be your favourite mode of transport. In that case, this tour may not be your first choice.

A different and fun way to tour Brisbane is by Segway. This tour will take you through the city's most iconic sights as you move at the speed of this vehicle. If you've never ridden a Segway before, don't worry, you'll be given a briefing before you start, and safety is guaranteed, with helmets included, you'll enjoy a 2 hour tour of the city's main sights, from South Bank Parkland to the Brisbane riverside trails.

The groups are small, and you'll have a guide by your side talking you through the sights you're seeing on your Segway. I recommend it if you enjoy both speed and walking around the city!

Interesting details

• Price: From 49 euros.
• Duration: Between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
• Means of transport: Segway
• Advantages of this option: A fun and agile way of getting around the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not familiar with the Segway, it may not be the most comfortable way to discover Brisbane.

If you want to immerse yourself (pun intended) in an unforgettable adventure exploring Brisbane's natural beauty, I recommend a kayaking tour. Paddle along the calm waters of the Brisbane River while enjoying the stunning cityscapes that surround it. You'll also have a local guide on this tour, so beginners and experienced kayakers alike can enjoy a unique way to experience the city.

All the necessary equipment is included to ensure your safety and comfort during the 1.5 hour tour. Another great advantage of this option is that you can choose to do it by day or night, so you can admire Brisbane's skyline in the sunshine or illuminated by the city lights, from the iconic Story Bridge to the charming South Bank Parklands. Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore Brisbane in an exciting and completely new way.

Details of interest

• Price: From 46 euros.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: Kayak.
• Advantages of this option: If you want to do some sport while taking in some of Brisbane's most iconic sights, this activity is perfect.
• Cons: If you don't feel like paddling, this may not be the perfect activity for you.

If you like mysteries and detective stories (like those of Agatha Christie), this exciting night-time crime tour is not to be missed. Immerse yourself in the enigmatic atmosphere that envelops the city after dark and get ready for an experience that combines history, suspense and architecture. For approximately 1.5 hours, you'll pass through key points of the city where you'll unravel the mysteries that lurk around every corner.

From intriguing murders to unsolved enigmas, each stop will take you deeper into Brisbane's dark tales. Plus, you'll have the chance to see iconic landmarks such as Brisbane City Hall and Story Bridge, enjoying panoramic views under the enchanting night sky - get ready to be thrilled and immersed in Brisbane's dark side!

Details of interest

• Price: From 21 euros.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: If you like to investigate and get to know a city in an interactive way, this activity is ideal.
• Disadvantages of this option: As it is at night, you need to organise your day well so that you don't arrive at this activity too tired.

In case one of the things that attracts you most to Australia is its wildlife, you can't miss the chance to see wild whales on a day cruise. Imagine spotting majestic whales in their natural habitat, accompanied by live commentary from an Eco Ranger, a marine wildlife expert. Plus, during the cruise you can treat your taste buds to lunch on board the cruise ship.

As this is a one-day activity, you can stop at Tangalooma Island Resort, where you will find swimming pools, beaches, restaurants and bars, and learn about the life of dolphins at the Eco Centre! Sea, beach, whales, dolphins... Without a doubt, this could be one of the most complete experiences of your trip to Brisbane.

Interesting details

• Price: (Price not available)
• Duration: 1 day.
• Means of transport: Boat.
• Pros of this option: If you are interested in Australia's wildlife, this activity is perfect for you.
• Disadvantages of this option: It requires a full day, so spread out your travel time well if you want to include this activity.

Discover the thrill of climbing Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge! If you dare to reach the top of the bridge, with the assistance of expert climbers, you'll have the opportunity to ascend to the top of the bridge while enjoying panoramic views of the city and Brisbane River. This unique experience offers an adrenaline rush and an unparalleled perspective of Brisbane from above.

Over approximately 2 hours, in small groups and with all necessary equipment provided, you can do the climb by day or night. With historical commentary on the surrounding landscape and a 360 degree panoramic view at the top, stretching from Moreton Bay to Lamington National Park, this adventure promises to be unforgettable. And to top it all off, a group photo is included at the end of the experience so you can treasure this special moment!

If you prefer to discover Moreton Island at your leisure, you can also sign up for one of the best tours to do in Brisbane. You can spend up to a full day touring the island and doing water activities.

Details of interest

• Price: From 79 euros.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: You can get there on foot or by bus.
• Advantages of this option: If you like adventure sports, this activity is a must.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are travelling with little time, this may not be one of your priority activities.

I've told you about the best tours in and around Brisbane and it's up to you to choose your favourites. But I can't say goodbye without giving you some recommendations so that your trip goes perfectly and you can enjoy every minute of your time in this wonderful Australian city.

• Plan ahead: Start planning as early as possible. This will give you more time to research and find the best deals and the most interesting tours; and to create a schedule so that you have things to do every day of your trip.
• Read reviews: This is the best way to get information about the quality of a tour. This will give you an idea of what to expect from each tour, and give you enough resources to make the best choice.
• Be flexible: Things don't always go according to plan, so I recommend you allow time in case any activity or transport is delayed, or any other unforeseen event occurs.
• Consider schedules and duration: Is the tour a half-day or full-day tour, is it private, is there a lot of early rising? It is important to consider these questions to avoid surprises during the trip.
• Choose the right company: This tip is related to reading reviews. It is important to have references on how the tour works, so it is important to choose the best option based on other people's experiences. Take the time to research different companies and choose the one with the best reputation.